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COCA News and Announcements

Recent COCA Call/Webinar

Children with chronic medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and neurologic and neurodevelopmental disorders, are at higher risk for influenza-associated complications. Using antiviral therapies early and aggressively in these vulnerable children can lessen the impact of influenza infection. Clinicians have a critical role in taking action to immunize these children and their close contacts. During this COCA Call, subject matter experts from CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics will discuss strategies that primary care providers and medical subspecialists can use in partnership with parents to improve influenza prevention and control in children at highest risk.

CDC News and Announcements

CDC Science Clips: Volume 5, Issue: 35– (CDC)Each week select science clips are shared with the public health community to enhance awareness of emerging scientific knowledge. The focus is applied public health research and prevention science that has the capacity to improve health now.

Public Health Preparedness

NEW:Public Health Matters Blog: Do 1 Thing: Be Informed– September 26 (CDC)Getting correct information during an emergency is critical to making the right decisions. There are many ways to stay informed, from staying connected to information from local authorities to knowing how your community alerts residents of dangerous situations. Make sure your family can receive, understand, and act on information in an emergency.

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

NEW:Hurricane Health and Safety Tips: Prepare to Evacuate– October 17 (CDC)Expect the need to evacuate and prepare for it. Follow the instructions on this page to prepare for evacuation and then to safely evacuate or get through the storm if ordered not to evacuate.

Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

Update:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)– October 18 (CDC)A novel coronavirus called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV) was identified in 2012 as the cause of respiratory illness in people. Investigations are being done to figure out the source of MERS-CoV and how it spreads.

Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus

Update:Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus– October 21 (CDC)Human infections with a new avian influenza A (H7N9) virus continue to be reported in China. The virus has been detected in poultry in China as well. While mild illness in human cases has been seen, most patients have had severe respiratory illness and some people have died. No cases of H7N9 outside of China have been reported. The new H7N9 virus has not been detected in people or birds in the United States.

Seasonal Influenza

Weekly Flu View– October 12 (CDC)This is a weekly influenza surveillance report prepared by CDC Influenza Division. All data are preliminary and may change as CDC receives more reports.

Travel Safety

Current Travel Warnings– October 11 (US Department of State)Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.

NEW:CDC Health Alert Network (HAN): CDC Health Advisory: Acute Hepatitis and Liver Failure Following the Use of a Dietary Supplement Intended for Weight Loss or Muscle Building– October 8 (CDC)Recently, a number of previously healthy individuals developed acute hepatitis and sudden liver failure of unknown cause after using a dietary supplement for weight loss or muscle building. CDC recommends increased vigilance by public health agencies, emergency departments, and healthcare providers for patients who develop acute hepatitis or liver failure following use of a weight loss or muscle building nutritional supplement. CDC requests that state health departments report such occurrences to the CDC. CDC also recommends that, as part of a comprehensive evaluation, clinicians evaluating patients with acute hepatitis should ask about consumption of dietary supplements.

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